Why is Wrist Pain so Prevalent? Millions of Americans suffer from chronic wrist pain that can range from tingling, to throbbing, to sharp and piercing.
The incidence of wrist pain (and hand pain) has been the most common complaint involving the upper extremities ever since we all started spending so much time using computers (and therefore keyboards and mice), according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. Take a simple 3-part test to see if your pain is caused by something that may have even fooled your doctor … and try these simple solutions!
The sport of biathlon isn’t always a kind one. Just over a week ago in Jericho, Vermont I was racing in a mass start event at North American Championships. The mass start is one of the most exciting events in biathlon, since everyone starts together. Most often a big group comes into the range to shoot together as well. This always causes a bit of additional pressure for the athletes but a lot more excitement for the spectators. When I came into the range for my first of four shooting stages in this 12.5 kilometer race, panic struck me. Half of my rear sight had fallen off somewhere in the first loop of skiing. This meant that instead of having a nice aperture to line up my sights with, I was left with a big gaping hole to try to center my shot in. This is not a fun way to shoot in the middle of a biathlon race, trust me. Needless to say, things didn’t go that well on the range for me that day. But truth be told, that is biathlon for you. It can be so wonderful one day, and just the opposite the next. There are just too many variables with the shooting, on top of the skiing, to keep this sport from ever becoming dull!
Thankfully that day in Jericho was just one race of many, and one that I don’t ever plan to repeat! This past weekend things came together much better for me. I raced in nearly my backyard, in Fort Kent, Maine. The 10th Mountain Ski Club hosted the North American Cup #3 there. We had two races over two very cold days. It was a beautifully run event by all the great people of Fort Kent. I am happy to report that I was standing on the podium both days. Good skiing and, for the most part, good shooting put me in second place in both Saturday’s sprint race and Sunday’s mass start race. It felt good to get back in the groove of racing after my rifle mishap the week before. It was also a lot of fun to be racing on a home course, in front of many people that I know.
This past weekend wraps up all the racing I will be able to do in Maine this winter. I am off to Quebec in the week ahead for more biathlon races. February is going to be another busy month of racing through the Mid-West, including the biggest Cross Country Skiing event in the U.S., the American Birkebeiner. I am looking for a personal best in this race this year. I am ready to break the top ten! Day one of Birke training began today with a 60km distance skate workout this morning. Thing are just starting to warm up here in the racing season of 2012! Stay tuned for more updates!
The Pressure Positive Company would like to acknowledge the untimely passing of a giant in the field of Fibromyalgia and metabolic research, Dr. John Lowe.
On January 9th, 2012, Dr. Lowe died suddenly and unexpectedly of complications from a previous injury.
His lifework has changed the course of treatment and indeed the destinies for countless people but his knowledge and expertise regarding Fibromyalgia, myofascial pain and self care put him argueably in the league of such ground breaking pioneers in the field as Janet Tavell, David Simons, Hans Kraus and Bonnie Prudden.
He was a leader, a friend and a mentor to many of the very same health professionals that we respect, admire and have worked with over the years. He supported education, he conducted evidence based ground breaking research and he actively advocated for a reformed health care system that rewards effective treatment, not big pharma, diagnostic and insurance companies.
Rest in peace, Sir.
To read more about the life and work of Dr. John Lowe, visit his excellent website: http://www.drlowe.com/
Chronic mechanical stresses are one of the most common causes of trigger point activation and perpetuation, and are nearly always correctable.
A skeletal asymmetry, including a shorter leg and a small hemipelvis (the part of the pelvis you sit on) can be corrected with shoe lifts and butt lifts. In this book-on-CD, reference to a shorter leg refers to a true leg length inequality where the bones are shorter on one side, rather than the “shorter leg” caused by a spinal mis-alignment, which is a term chiropractors use. A skeletal disproportion, such as a long second toe can be corrected with shoe orthotics, and short upper arms can be corrected with ergonomically correct furniture. Vertebral subluxation and other bones-out-alignment can be adjusted by a chiropractor or osteopathic physician, especially if the muscles are also first relaxed by an acupuncturist or massage therapist.
image by Jeff Lutz of Muscle Pain Help
There is no doubt that your self-image, and the way others view you, are directly affected by your body posture. We have all observed people who seem to draw attention and attract positive energy, simply because of the confident, self-assured way that they carry themselves through a room, or briskly stride down a crowded street.
Conversely, poor posture is very often related to poor self-image. You have probably noticed that many people with slumped posture have a tendency to look helpless, weak, and tired. Some people seem to literally carry the weight of the world on their shoulders. There are many causes of poor posture, including structural and biomechanical problems that should be treated by a qualified professional. Some of the possible negative effects of poor posture are much more than a cosmetic concern and can include muscular pain, headaches, neck and back pain, fatigue, reduced lung capacity, and reduced levels of blood and oxygen supplied to the brain. Since some spinal conditions can only be detected by x-rays or by thorough physical examination, I personally believe that it is a good idea to consult a qualified Doctor of Chiropractic for a spinal checkup, even if you are not currently experiencing pain or symptoms.
MYO Trigger Point Seminars in Chicago, the leaders in Trigger Point training and treatment, would like to announce their upcoming seminar on MYOFASCIAL TRIGGER POINT THERAPY FOR THE ELIMINATION OF THIGH & KNEE PAIN.
Learn the fastest, most effective pain relief techniques that will enable you to eliminate thigh and knee pain caused by myofacial dysfunction. This class will be taught by Mary Biancalana, one of the most dynamic and well-known pioneers in the field. Mary is also has 17 years as an ACE Certified Personal Trainer and has an exceptional knowledge of sports and athletic-related problems in the thigh and knee. These problems specific to the athlete will be addressed in this program. So, if you treat runners, cyclists, weekend sports enthusiasts, volleyball players, those in yoga practice or anyone on a sports team..then this class is for you!
Join NAMTPT 2011 in Waltham, Massachusetts
Pain management pioneer, David Simons, MD, once commented that Myofascial Trigger Points are unbelievably common yet commonly overlooked.
For more than 25 years the National Association of Myofascial Trigger Point Therapists (NAMTPT) has been the only organization dedicated to representing professionals whose primary training is focused on the identification and treatment of myofascial pain and dysfunction. But, all pain practitioners, manual therapists included, can learn from the experts in the field at the annual NAMTPT conference this week in Boston.
